2 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2004 UNC groups offer elderly Valentine s Day cheer BY ANDREW SATTEN STAfF WRITER On Saturday, Franklin Street was abuzz with couples going out for a night on the town to celebrate Valentine’s Day. But a host of students also turned to another arena, local retirement communities, to display Valentine’s Day cheer through A Helping Hand’s third annual Valentine’s Day “Delivery and Serenade.” “We do a lot of paid gigs, but this is the kind of stuff that really makes it worth it, to see the expres sions on (residents’) face, bright ening their day,” said junior David Bankert of the Clef Hangers, one of three vocal groups that performed at Carol Woods Retirement Community, an assisted-living cen ter in Chapel Hill. At least 10 UNC student groups including UNC Club Field Hockey, Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Carolina Cancer Focus took part in the community service project Even the Blue Devils played a part in the festivities. The Duke University Chorale launched the morning with a rendition of “Danny Boy” and thanked the audience for a warm reception. Carol Woods resident Greely Summers summed up the tone of the event after he was serenaded by a few members of the Loreleis. “That was wonderful,” Summers Judge to rule on APS defamation suit BY SHANNAN BOWEN ASSISTANT CITY EDITOR A hearing today could decide if allegations made by the Animal Protection Society of Chapel Hill against critics Elliot Cramer and Judith Reitman will be thrown out The hearing will take place at 2 p.m. in the Battle Courtroom of the Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough. APS, the nonprofit entity that runs the Orange County Animal Shelter, made the counter claims in question accusing Cramer and Reitman of defamation after the two filed several lawsuits against jL/3JJjrJ3£j£3 Get 6 months of Tanning for $99 Also, 2 for i fitness enrollment! Bring your friends, sisters, moms, and grandmothers too! Call or stop by today. Offer expires 2/29/04 - 969-8663 ladies 752 Airport Rd. . .. ——— (Next to Foster's, / mile from campus) fitness & wellness center o WVUf _ BeG/A/WA/G February foru m B°°^ S * We must M^ k a? ee cßAzvf jfe/df j/UTtt W£ RUM or books / ****• said. “Everyone was right on tune.” The Delivery and Serenade was the symbolic kick-off of a concerted effort to deliver valentines and roses to more than 1,000 senior citizens in three counties. U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., served as master of ceremonies for the event “This is a good example of our community and country at its best,” Price said. “(A Helping Hand fills) a real gap in terms of the kind of practical help that people need.” A nonprofit organization based in Chapel Hill, A Helping Hand provides home assistance and transportation for senior citizens and people with disabilities. On a weekly basis, the organization employs 20 paid companions who work with senior citizens and 40 volunteers who participate in the group’s Faith in Action program. Launched in 2000, Faith in Action offers housework or yard services to senior citizens and free weekly assistance to relieve family members or unrelated caregivers who provide aid to the elderly. Wesley H. Wallace, a Carol Woods resident and former UNC professor who spent 28 years in the Department of Radio, Television and Motion Pictures, pointed out the many merits of A Helping Hand’s services. “It is wonderful, because it’s the kind of help that you are rarely able to find,” he said. APS. Cramer and Reitman, both for mer APS members, accused the private organization of inaccurate accounting practices, mismanage ment of the animal shelter and unlawfully changing rules by taking away voting rights from members. Those charges have not had hearings, said Attorney Barry Nakell, who is representing Cramer and Reitman. While Cramer said he could not comment on today’s hearing, Nakell said he and APS attorney, Ron Merritt, will be presenting their sides regarding APS’s counter Cathy Ahrendsen, founder and executive director of A Helping Hand, works closely with the APPLES Service-Learning Program and noted the dividends that working with A Helping Hand can provide students pursuing a variety of careers. One such student involved with the program is senior Amy Mansky, a journalism major con centrating in public relations and acting as communications director for the organization. Mansky said her time with A Helping Hand has been an asset in pursuing her prospective career. “I get a lot of experience in the technical aspects of journalism, putting out publications and brochures,” she said. Ahrendsen highlighted the inte gral r<|le UNC students play in the organization. “Carolina students have always been the foundation of our program,” Ahrendsen said. “They are the most wonderful companions who bring enthusi asm, great innovation and just enrich our program.” For more information on A Helping Hand, visit the Web site at http://www.ahlpnghnd.org, e-mail ahlpnghnd@aol.com or call 969- 7111. Contact the Features Editor atfeatures@unc.edu. claims to the judge and observers. Merritt said he would not com ment on any ongoing litigation, and APS Interim Director Suzy Cooke said she was not aware of the hearing. Nakell said he will be defending Cramer and Reitman’s statements with rights fisted in the First Amendment. “Basically, we’re saying every thing Jude and Elliot said was pro tected by free speech,” Nakell said. He said Cramer and Reitman have presented true statements that have no basis for counter claims. If the APS counter claims are thrown out, they will not be a part Apply now to help select next DTH editor in chief staff report tor selection committee. All stu- The Daily Tar Heel is now dents are eligible, accepting applications for its edi- Applications are available in the DTH office, located in the Student Slte Smly (Tar Ml ™^i Cipnls m [equite d to P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 attend meetings March 18 from 5 Elyse Ashbum, Editor, 962-4086 to p.m. and March 20 from 9 Advertisings Business, 962-1163 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. News, Features, Sports, 962-0245 Those selected will be notified One copy per person; additional copies may be by March 4. Please contact DTH purchased at The Daily Tar Heel for $.25 each. Editor Elyse Ashburn with ques- O 2004 DTH Publishing Corp. tions at eashbum@email.unc.edu All rights reserved or call 962-0750. 3P soing § crazy?! ||r Take a break between the books at 106 W. Franklin St. ETI (Next to He's Hot Here) V"® (f Ml}\ 942-PUMP yOOURt J #j) Mon-Sat ll:30am-ll:00pm OUflrtO \ Sun 12pm-ll:00pm ■ ■ Remember our new website with updated daily flavors: www.yogurtpump.com The Politics of Water Management in Israel-Palestine presented by Professor Eran Feitelson, Hebrew University, Jerusalem and Professor Marwan Haddad, al-Najah University, Nablus Monday, February 16 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Carroll 111 Professors Feitelson and Haddad have collaborated to produce seminal research on water management issues in Israel-Palestine. They will explain the dynamics of conflict and cooperation over water distribution between Israel and Palestine. UCIS University Center for international Studies www.ucis.unc.edu News A-* ■ ■ ifßlt \ M ■KJmw rifr *- DTH/GABITRAPENBERG Freshman Cassie Criswell, a member of the Loreleis, delivers Valentines to senior citizens at Carol Woods Retirement Community on Saturday as part of A Helping Hand's third annual "Delivery and Serenade" event. of the April 5 trial, at which the original charges against APS will be heard. Asa result of the suits, the Orange County Board of Commissioners granted APS per mission to run the shelter until July 1, when the county will take over. The outcome of the April 5 trial will decide whether APS will have a role in the shelter’s future operation. A task force created to review the management of the shelter will meet for the third time Feb. 25. Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu. Hospitalized vets get special salute BY ADAM RODMAN STAFF WRITER Sophomore Ben Elliot and sen ior Megg Connelly handed a Valentine’s Day card, made by a local elementary school student, to a veteran sitting on his hospital bed. The man, whose left leg was amputated, smiled at the two cadets from the UNC Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and gestured to the pile of cards he had received already. But the cadets insisted, and the veteran acquiesced. “I just wish I had one to give you,” he said. On Friday, UNC Air Force ROTC Cadets Elliot, Connelly and senior Lindsay Clark, along with Maj. Anthony Hensley, visited the Durham Veteran Affairs Medical Center as part of the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, a national program that uses the week of Valentine’s Day to visit and to raise awareness about hospital ized veterans. “The veterans love it,” said Sara Haigh, staff assistant to the hospi tal director. “This is a good experience,” Elliot said. “You get to see a lot of people you wouldn’t get to see nor mally.” Most of the veterans served dur ing World War II and the Vietnam War, Elliot said. Veteran couple Amy Montana and Paul Jurden of Rougemont were especially glad to talk to the cadets. “See, I outrank him,” Montana said as she joked about her hus band. “It makes our marriage eas ier.” She was a nurse in the Air Force with a rank of first lieutenant. Choose the next DTH Editor it i —nrrmn i iniw i nw_i m—lj The Daily Tar Heel is seeking students to serve on the panel that will choose the editor of the DTH for the 2004-2005 school year. ‘ for the seven at-large positions on the DTH Editor Selection Board are available at the DTH Office and the Carolina Union info desk kiosk. Applicants must be available for an orientation meeting from 5-6 pm ■ I Thursday, March 18 and from ■ approximately B:3oam-4pm i Saturday, March 20 to conduct interviews and make the selection. f ~ All students may apply for at-large positions except current DTH news staff members. If you have any questions about the process, please contact Elyse Ashbum (962-4086, eashbum@email.unc.edu) or Chrissy Beck (962-0175, cmbeck@email.unc.edu). uUjp Satly alar lippl Jurden was a paratrooper in the special forces with a rank of ser geant. The couple was glad to share a few war stories with the cadets. Ashley Puleo, Miss North Carolina USA and a first-year den tal student at UNC, also handed out valentines to the veterans. “We’re visiting with all the veter ans,” she said. “I think they enjoy anyone coming.” U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., also visited patients in the external care and rehabilitation center. Haigh said Price visits the med ical center every yeaT and is a loyal supporter. “The veterans really enjoy speaking to him,” she said. “They recognize him.” Representatives for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., and U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., also attended th event, along with Air Force members from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base as well as students from other university ROTCs from around the Triangle area. “It’s interesting to me to see young airmen with these old veter ans,” Haigh said. “And it’s a little sad to think that this could be in their future 50 to 60 years down the road.” But the cadets look forward to their careers. “I hope to serve my country someday,” Elliot said. Clark, who said she commis sions in May and then goes to her station in July, also said she enjoyed sharing Valentine’s Day with the veterans. “It’s nice to pay respects.” Contact the Features Editor atfeatures@unc.edu.

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